Both the Canucks and Blackhawks traveled from Vancouver to Chicago yesterday and both teams skated this morning in advance of their 8:00pm local start time for Game 6 tonight.
It has officially been two months since the Canucks lost back-to-back games on the road (Mar. 11 4-3 OT at Anaheim). Despite splitting Games 3 and 4 of this series at the United Center, the Canucks had a tough time generating a lot of offensive chances. Vancouver scored just four goals on 36 shots over the last two games in Chicago. In their last four games, they haven't had more than 21 shots on net.
Roberto Luongo, having allowed 11 goals at home in this series, has given up just three goals on 52 shots at the United Center.
The Hawks are trying to get to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 1995. Chicago has generated 40 more shots in the series than their opponents. They have out-scored Vancouver 10-3 in the third periods and overtime in the series.
Dustin Byfuglien's two goals and six hits in Chicago's 4-2 win in Game 5 earned him 1st Star honours. He is currently 2nd in the NHL playoffs in hits (49). Jonathan Toews, despite only collecting one assist in the series, is 2nd in the post-season in face off percentage (59.3%). Duncan Keith, who has five assists against the Canucks, is 2nd in the NHL in plus-minus (+7).
Here are the expected line-ups for both teams:
Canucks:
D. Sedin - H. Sedin - Burrows
Raymond - Sundin - Kesler
Pyatt - Wellwood - Bernier
Hordichuk - Johnson - Rypien
Mitchell - Salo
Ohlund - Edler
Bieksa - O'Brien
Luongo
LaBarbera
Blackhawks:
Sharp - Toews - Kane
Ladd - Bolland - Havlat
Versteeg - Pahlsson - Byfuglien
Eager - Burish - Brouwer
Keith - Seabrook
Campbell - Hjalmarsson
Barker - Walker
Khabibulin
Huet
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